Holistic approaches to treatment are great assets to people recovering and healing from mental health issues. While holistic methods are complementary components to mental health treatment, when used in combination with other tools like therapy, psychiatric medications, and other tools, they are extremely successful in helping to reduce symptoms of mental health issues. One of the most commonly used holistic approaches in mental health treatment is meditation. Meditation for mental health is a great asset that can work to help people living with a number of mental health conditions in order to promote healing, reduce anxiety, stimulate mindfulness, and improve awareness of the self.
Many people who seek treatment for mental health may not have tried meditation before their treatment experience. However, meditation sessions aren’t something to feel nervous about as they are relaxing and provide many benefits. During meditation sessions for mental health, there are a few things people can expect including:
-a safe and comfortable setting
-being led by a trained and experienced instructor
-breathing techniques and exercises
-getting into a comfortable pose that can promote relaxation
-focusing on sounds, specific areas of the body, or breathing
-actively releasing distractions in order to promote an open mind
Meditation isn’t a cure-all for any specific mental health issue. However, it can be especially helpful for people dealing with anxiety disorders, high levels of stress, chronic pain, and Substance Use Disorder. Even if a person is dealing with alternative mental health issues than these, they may find that meditation can help them along their mental health healing journey as it can help reduce anxieties and stressors that may come about during the treatment experience. And, help a person to be more aware of themselves which can stimulate better relationships with others and the self.
No treatments for mental health are going to provide benefits immediately. Nor are there treatments for mental health that work overnight. However, when used consistently, treatments for mental health can begin to help people who struggle with mental health issues understand what they need to do in order to manage the debilitating symptoms of mental health conditions. The same is true for meditation. When used consistently, meditation can provide a number of mental health benefits for people who are living with mental health diagnoses which can include:
Mindfulness: Mindfulness is the ability to live in the present moment without having to worry or fear about the past or future. When we allow ourselves to remain present, we can overcome what’s bothering us in the here and now including emotions and negative thoughts. This allows us to take every step of mental health treatment in stride – working toward every goal as each day comes.
Stress Relief: High stress levels are often the result of the overfiring of neurotransmitters in the brain. Meditation can actually help these neurotransmitters calm and reduce firing which can help to reduce the levels of stress and anxiety a person is experiencing. Thus, resulting in stress and anxiety reduction – making meditation a helpful tool for people living with these issues.
Improved Awareness of the Self: When we are more self-aware, we can better control our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Meditation can help us better identify harmful thoughts that can lead to negative emotions and behaviors. And, change negative thought patterns before they result in more negative thought patterns, emotions, and behaviors.
Delray Center for Healing is an outpatient mental health facility that believes that using many forms of mental health treatment approaches is helpful. That’s why we not only provide people access to traditional and revolutionary treatment methods, but also holistic approaches including meditation. If you or a loved one needs help overcoming the debilitating symptoms of mental health issues, we can help. Find out more about our services and programs today from our website.
Dr. Rodriguez founded the Delray Center in 2003 and built it on a foundation of core clinical, professional, and ethical principles that are adhered to still to this day. Dr. Rodriguez founded the Delray Center in 2003 and built it on a foundation of core clinical, professional, and ethical principles that are adhered to still to this day.